Web Development

Firefox For Windows 8 Touch Beta

The Firefox browser for Windows 8 Touch Beta is now ready for download and testing by web-focused software application developers says the Mozilla Foundation.

Described as a tile-based Firefox is optimized for Microsoft's Windows 8, this browser has one-tap access to Top Sites, Bookmarks, and History. There is support here for "pinch to zoom" and "one-touch swipe" transitions.

Mozilla provided the following quotes to Dr. Dobb's attributed a ubiquitously anonymous Mozilla spokesperson, "We welcome all feedback, but would particularly like to hear from anyone who is testing behaviour(s) that are specific to a touch-based UI like this one, which are not part of Firefox for desktop. Feedback on the responsiveness and performance of panning and zooming functionalities and switching between Desktop and Windows 8 Touch mode would be most helpful."

Mozilla says that it develops Firefox in the open with user productivity and choice in mind. Other key features are Full, Snapped, and Fill views: These options allow the user to choose to view an app full-screen, or "snapped" to a narrow region of the screen (typically to the left of the screen like a sidebar), or if the user can opt to "fill" the remaining screen area not already occupied by an app in "snapped" state.

According to Mozilla, "If you are keen to test Firefox for Windows 8 Touch, you should ensure that Firefox Beta is your Windows 8 default browser. If you're on Windows 8, visit the Windows Start screen to locate the Firefox tile. On Windows 8.1, visit the All Apps Screen, locate the tile there and pin it to your start screen."

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